3.
In dentistry, occupational health hazards are
common and increasing.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which is one of
the occupational health hazards are significant and
cause a serious damage.
INTRODUCTION

4.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as
being disorders affecting the muscles, tendons,
peripheral nerves or vascular system not directly
resulting from an acute or instantaneous event.
WHO lists MSDs as the most common problem that
affects workers, especially dental health care
personnel who are exposed daily to a work
environment.
INTRODUCTION (2)

5.
What is the prevalence and risk factors of MSDs
among dental practitioners ?
RESEARCH QUESTION

6.
I. MAIN OBJECTIF
To determine the prevalence and risk factors of MSDs among
dental practitioners in Douala, littoral region; and Bafoussam,
West region.
II. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. Estimate the prevalence of MSDs among dental
practitioners.
2. Determine the most common body regions of MSDs.
3. Evaluate the practitioners knowledge on dental
ergonomics.
4. Determine the various risk factors.
5. Estimate the cost of management.
OBJECTIF AND SPECIFIC
OBJECTIVES

8.
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
 Participants who were full-time dental practitioners and who
have worked for at least 12 months.
 Participants who were present in that area at the moment of the
study.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
 Participants who worked for less than 12 months.
 Participants who completed their questionnaire but submitted
late.
 Participants who refused to participate in the study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS (2)

17.
The results show that the prevalence of MSDs symptoms among
dental practitioners in Bafoussam and Douala is high (78.75%).
The most aggravating factor was the position with a large score of
73.12%.
Pain,discomfort and fatigue were the commonly symptoms
reported. The most common body areas affected were the neck
(39.68%), the low back (44.44%), the shoulders (4.76%), the wrist
(1.59%), the lower leg (1.59%), and the feet (7.94%).
CONCLUSION

18.
 Female dentists had a significantly higher frequency of pain, discomfort and
fatigue than the male counterparts.
 Ergonomics knowledge are well assimilated by the majority of dental
workers but just a few minority apply it during their working time and that is
why the prevalence of MSDs is too high among dentals professionals .
 This increase lead to pain,stress,fatigue and has a serious impact on the
finances of those suffering from these symptoms. They spend a lot of money
in the management of their symptoms.
 To conclude work-related Musculo-skeletal disorders represent a high
significant burden for dental profession.
CONCLUSION (2)

19.
Ministry of the Public Health to bend over this situation
which is not negligible as the result showed and put in
place serious measures to palliate to it such as: policies,
safety control and seminars based on preventive
measures like Dental Ergonomics for all dental workers .
RECOMMENDATIONS

20.
The Ministry of the High Education is also called to
implement programs concerning the preventives
measures as Dental Ergonomics in the dental
academicals programs. These programs will be
applied and coordinated in Saint Louis University
Institute for the Dental Therapists students and also
in other dental schools in Cameroon in the aim to
familiarize them with those precautions.
RECOMMENDATIONS (2)

21.
 Our gratitude goes to: To Dr. Nick Ngwanyam for providing
us a wonderful area of studies.
 We would like to pay my highest gratitude to our research
supervisor Mr. HILBERT KAMO for is devotedness
towards helping us in succeeding in our diploma studies.
 We would like to Thanks our Head of Department
Dr.Njimogu Samuel who has sacrified a lot in our training.
 We would like to acknowledge our dearest families for their
care, love guidance and support.
 Lastly to our friends who assisted us during that period.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT